In recent years, Croatia has become one of the most popular destinations for anyone interested in enjoying the sun. It’s near the Mediterranean, and if you’re a surfer or swimming fan, Croatia is the perfect destination. The country is also a popular destination for adventure travelers who enjoy various types of activities and aim to experience some of the best mountain biking trails in Europe.

It’s not often that I get asked to write a blog post to go on a holiday, but this time, I agreed to travel to Croatia, which was surprising to be honest, as I’ve never been to the country before. I’m approaching this trip as a learning experience, so I’m hoping to get some new facts about the country.

Top 10 Amazing Facts About Croatia

Fact #1: Capital City of Croatia

Capital and largest city of Croatia: Zagreb, 641.36 square kilometers wide area. The estimated population of the city in 2018 was 804,507.

Fact #2: Area and Population

Total area of Croatia is 56,594 square kilometers. In 2020, estimated population of Croatia was 4,058,165.

Fact #3: Most populous cities of Croatia

The most populous cities in Croatia are Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Pula, Slavonski Brod, Varaždin, Dubrovnik, Sisak and Karlovac.

Population of popular cities of Croatia:

RankCityUrban Population
1Zagreb804,507
2Split167,121
3Rijeka128,314
4Osijek83,104
5Zadar71,471
6Pula57,460
7Slavonski Brod53,531
8Karlovac46,833
9Varaždin38,839
10Šibenik34,302
Source: 2011 Census
Split city in Croatia
Split city in Croatia

Fact #4: Religion of Croatia

There is no official religion in Croatia. 91.36% of all Croatians are Christian. After Christianity, Islam (1.47%) is the largest religion according to the 2011 census. 4.57% of the citizens are non-religious.

Fact #5: The number of islands in Croatia

krk island in croatia
Krk island in Croatia

Croatia is the country with the most islands. There are 718 islands in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. Only 47 of the islands are inhabited.

List of the populated islands of Croatia:

#IslandPopulationArea
1Krk19,383405.78 km2 
2Korčula15,522276.03 km2 
3Brač13,956394.57 km2 
4Hvar11,077299.66 km2 
5Rab9,32890.84 km2 
6Pag9,059284.56 km2 
7Lošinj7,58774.68 km2 
8Ugljan6,04950.21 km2 
9Čiovo5,90828.80 km2 
10Murter4,89518.60 km2 
11Vis3,44590.26 km2 
12Cres3,079405.78 km2 
13Vir3,00022.38 km2 
14Pašman2,84563.34 km2 
15Šolta1,70058.98 km2 
16Dugi Otok1,655114.44 km2 
17Mljet1,088100.41 km2 
18Lastovo79246.87 km2 
1961517.59 km2 
20Šipan41915.81 km2 
21Prvić4032.37 km2 
22Silba29214.98 km2 
23Zlarin2848.19 km2 
24Vrgada2493.7 km2 
25Lopud2494.63 km2 
26Molat19722.82 km2 
27Kaprije1896.97 km2 
28Ist1829.7 km2 
29Krapanj1700.36 km2 
30Koločep1632.4 km2 
31Susak1513.8 km2 
32Drvenik Veli15012.07 km2 
33Olib14026.09 km2 
34Rava1173.6 km2 
35Žirje10315.06 km2 
36Unije8816.92 km2 
37Drvenik Mali873.3 km2 
38Ilovik855.2 km2 
39Premuda649.25 km2 
40Sestrunj4815.03 km2 
41Zverinac434.2 km2 
42Rivanj314.4 km2 
43Ošljak290.3 km2 
44Kornat1932.30 km2 
45Biševo155.8 km2 
46Vele Srakane31.15 km2 
47Male Srakane20.61 km2 

Christmas Fun Facts

Fact #6: The number of museums in Croatia

Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral
Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral

There are 160 established and registered museums in Croatia.

Top 10 Museums in Croatia:

  1. Muzej iluzija (The Museum of Illusions)
  2. Muzej školjaka i vodenog svijeta (The Water World Exhibitions)
  3. Pomorski i povijesni muzej Hrvatskog primorja (Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral)
  4. Muzej suvremene umjetnosti (The Museum of Contemporary Art)
  5. Hrvatski muzej arhitekture (The Croatian Museum of Architecture)
  6. Muzej antičkog stakla (The Museum of Ancient Glass)
  7. Muzej Slavonije Osijek (The Museum of Slavonia)
  8. Muzej krapinskih neandertalaca (Krapina Neanderthal Museum)
  9. Muzej vučedolske kulture (Vučedol Culture Museum)
  10. Hrvatski prirodoslovni muzej (The Croatian Natural History Museum)

Fact #7: The number of fortresses/castles in Croatia

Fortress of Klis in Croatia
Fortress of Klis in Croatia

The number of castles and fortresses in Croatia is over 1,000, but how many of them are you aware of? That’s why we’re here, to educate you about Croatia’s fascinating magical and historical sites.
There are many castles in Croatia includes castles, remains of castles, and other fortifications like fortresses. The biggest fortress is located in Knin in Croatia.

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19 best castles in Croatia to visit:

  1. Klis Fortress
  2. Bezanec Castle
  3. Brod Fortress
  4. Cetin Castle
  5. Cakovec Castle
  6. Pazin Castle
  7. Trakoscan Castle
  8. Marusevec Castle
  9. Velki Tabor Castle
  10. Orsic Castle
  11. Mailath Castle
  12. Pejacevic Castle
  13. Ozalj Castle
  14. Stara Susica Castle
  15. Tvrdalj Castle
  16. Varazdin Castle
  17. Trsat Fortress
  18. Luznica Castle
  19. Starigrad Fortress

Fact #8: The number of lakes in Croatia

Lake Vrana in Croatia
Lake Vrana in Croatia

The Plitvice lakes are most famous in Croatia. Plitvice is a system of 16 lakes with waterfalls. Mljet lakes and Baćina lakes are also famous. Mljet is a system of 2 lakes and Baćina is a system of 6 lakes.

List of lakes of Croatia:

  1. Lake Vrana (Dalmatia)
  2. Lake Dubrava
  3. Lake Peruča
  4. Lake Prokljan
  5. Lake Varaždin
  6. Lake Vrana (Cres)
  7. Lake Krušćica
  8. Lake Kopačevo
  9. Lake Borovik
  10. Lake Butoniga
  11. Lake Lokve
  12. Mljet lakes (2 lakes)
  13. Plitvice lakes (16 lakes)
  14. Baćina lakes (6 lakes)
  15. Lake Sabljaci
  16. Lake Bajer
  17. Lake Trakošćan
Lake Vrana in Croatia
Lake Vrana in Croatia

Fact #9: The number of caves in Croatia

There are more than 11,500 known caves in Croatia. In Croatia, there are many deep caves. 49 of the caves are deeper than 250m. 14 of them are deeper than 500m. And 3 of them are deeper than 1000m.

List of caves in Croatia:

Deepest caves:

  • Velebit caves – Lukina jama
  • Velebit caves – Slovačka jama
  • Velebit caves – near Crikvena
  • Biokovo caves – Amfora Pit
  • Velebit caves – Meduza
  • Biokovo caves – Stara škola
  • Biokovo caves – Vilimova jama
  • Velebit caves – Patkov Gušt
  • Velebit caves – Jama Olimp
  • Velebit caves – Ledena jama u Lomskoj dulibi

Longest caves:

  • Medvedica caves – Đulin ponor
  • Varićakova špilja – Panjkov ponor
  • Jama Kita Gaćešina
  • Tounj quarry cave
  • Veternica cave

Other notable caves:

  • Caves of Barać
  • Baredine Cave
  • Biserujka
  • Crveno jezero (the Red Lake)
  • Vrtare Male
  • Balinka pit
  • Romuald’s Cave

Fact #10: The number of ancient artefacts in Croatia

We have already mentioned that Croatia is a country whose history seems to be so full of untouched treasures. We can’t name any specific discovery because we truly don’t know how many valuable relics the country contains. But still, let’s have a look at what we could find, so far.

In the first half of the 20th century, some excavations in the Balkans were so important, they were described as “the Second Stone Age”. Archaeologists discovered huge temples, elaborate decorations, and even writing on ceramics. These discoveries heralded the beginning of the first great era of Roman and Byzantine art, which is also known as “Early Christian” art. As for the modern era, it too has given us some amazing things, and Croatia is no exception.

Others Best Interesting Facts About Croatia:

Fact #11: Croatian World Records – Largest Box of Popcorn (Guinness Book of Records)

Largest Box of Popcorn (Guinness Book of Records)
Largest Box of Popcorn (Guinness Book of Records)

This is a rather strange fact about Croatia. And it’s a fact that you may not have known, which is probably because it’s not that unusual to see a box of popcorn on a table in a movie theater.

The largest box of popcorn was achieved by Cineplexx (International) with a volume of 52.59m³ (1857 ft³), which was filled in 1 hour and 57 minutes at an event outside Avenue Mall in Osijek, Croatia, on 16 April 2011.
What is unusual is that this box is the largest box of popcorn in Croatia—a whopping 500kg (1,100 lbs).

Fact #12: The Significance of January 15th

15th January is marked as the day Croatia won international recognition by Croatian media and politicians. The European Economic Community finally granted Croatia diplomatic recognition on 15 January 1992, and the United Nations did so in May 1992.

Fact #13: Croatian Wildlife

Croatian Wildlife (Nature of Croatia)
Croatian Wildlife (Nature of Croatia)

Croatians are proud of their wildlife heritage, which is reflected in the country’s natural landscapes and rich fauna and flora, including over 150 bird species.

The most popular animal in Croatia is the wolf, which first appeared in the country during the Stone Age. Some have been reintroduced in protected areas and an unknown number of others survive in villages, though they are still mostly considered a threat to livestock and should be kept away.

There are over 410 different species of birds, with the most famous being the golden eagle, the black stork, and the greater spotted eagle. 23 species are globally threatened.

Fact #14: Croatian Tourist Attractions

Dubrovnik Old Town in Croatia
Dubrovnik Old Town in Croatia

Croatia has a long history that has resulted in some great things. Take a look at the list of cities and towns, each with its own history. The biggest and most famous (by far) of them all is Dubrovnik. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular attractions in Croatia.

Croatia is a tourist destination renowned for its sun, sea, and islands. People come here to enjoy the beauty of nature and the excitement of adventure, whether they visit the islands of the Adriatic, the mainland coast, or the historic cities and towns. Despite its beauty, Croatia is still a relatively unknown destination, and many visitors come to experience the country’s culture and history.

15 Best Tourist Attractions in Croatia:

  1. Dubrovnik Old Town Walls
  2. Diocletian’s Palace in Split
  3. Hvar Town
  4. Plitvice Lakes National Park
  5. Zagreb’s Gornji Grad
  6. Sailing around Kornati National Park
  7. Zadar’s Romanesque Churches
  8. Zlatni Rat Beach
  9. The Pretty Town of Korcula
  10. Mljet National Park
  11. Rovinj
  12. Brijuni National Park
  13. Trogir
  14. Rijeka
  15. Sibenik

Fact #15: Croatian Cuisine

If you’ve ever been to Croatia, you’ll know that it’s home to some of the best food in the country. As a country influenced by both Southern Europe and Eastern Europe, Croatia has an incredibly rich culinary history, and its rich history means that there are a variety of cuisines to enjoy.

Croatian cuisine has always had its roots in the traditions of its land, including their common food traditions: drink, seafood and vegetables.

There are some common items you’ll find nearly everywhere in Croatia:

  • Burek
  • Cevapcici (pronounced Chev ap chee tse)
  • Raznjici (pronounced razh nyee chee)
  • Palacinke (pronounced pala chink eh)
  • Blitva
  • Pag Cheese
  • Bakalar
  • Pizza
  • Pasta
  • Stews
Croatian Traditional Cuisine
Croatian Traditional Cuisine

Fact #16: Croatian Inventions

We all know that Croatia has some of the best beaches in the world, but did you know that our country has also made its mark in the realm of inventions? We are not talking about the latest smartphone or the newest fashion trends, but rather inventions that have helped shape the world around us, and that have helped us to have a say in how we choose to live our lives.

Top 10 Croatian inventions:

  1. Necktie (Cravat)
  2. Parachute – Faust Vrančić
  3. Intelligiant (water canon) – John Mišković
  4. Torpedo – Ivan Lupus
  5. Electric light-bulb with a metal filament (tungsten) – Franjo Hanaman
  6. Mechanical pencil – Slavoljub Penkala
  7. Puretic power block – Mario Puratić
  8. Forensic fingerprinting – Juan Vucetich
  9. Zeppelin – David Schwarz
  10. Mp3 Player – Tomislav Uzelac

Fact #17: Famous Croatians

Famous Croatians Nikola Tesla
Famous Croatians Nikola Tesla

Inspiring Croatian people, most famous Croatians Who Changed History:

  • Duke Branimir
  • Nikola Tesla
  • Slavoljub Penkala
  • Fausto Veranzio
  • Grgur Ninski
  • Ruđer Bošković
  • Marko Marulić
  • Ban Josip Jelačić
  • Giovanni Luppis
  • King Tomislav
  • Zlata Bartl

Fact #18: Dubrovnik is the oldest city in Europe

Dubrovnik city in Croatia is a popular tourist destination in the Mediterranean, situated in central Croatia’s Dalmatia region. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its Old Town stands on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It’s also a popular filming location for movies and TV series.

Fact #19: Croatia is the home of Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla is a Croatian inventor, physicist, mechanical engineer, and electrical engineer. He was born on July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, Croatia.

He is commonly known as the father of electricity. He is considered the most important contributor to the birth of commercial electricity and is best known for many of his inventions including the Tesla coil, the alternating current (AC) electrical supply system, the Tesla effect of radio, the Tesla turbine, and the Tesla motor.

Fact #20: Smallest country in Europe

Croatia is the only country that borders all of the Adriatic countries. It is the smallest country in Europe, but it is the only country to border all the countries of the Adriatic.

Fact #21:

Croatia was the first European country to recognize the independence of the United States of America.

Fact #22:

Croatia is one of the oldest countries in Europe.

Fact #23:

Croatia is the only country that borders with Italy and Slovenia.

Fact #24:

Croatia is the only country that borders with Serbia.

Fact #25:

Croatia is the only country that borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Fact #26:

Dubrovnik is the only city that has a road called the Golden Gate that opens to the sea.

Fact #27:

Croatia is the only country that has a landscape that is divided in two by the equator.

Fact #28:

Croatia was part of the former Yugoslavia.

Fact #29:

Croatia is known for its crystal-clear seawater.

Fact #30:

Croatia has a beautiful coastline.

Fact #31: World’s smallest town

Town of Hum in Croatia
World’s Smallest Town of Hum in Croatia

The world’s smallest town ” Town of Hum” is in Croatia. Hum is the name of the Guinness Book of World Records.

Fact #32: World’s biggest truffle

Croatia is home of the world’s biggest truffle. The truffle was listed by the Guinness World Records in 1999.

Fact #33: Famous Croatian Dogs

Croatia is the home of world’s popular dog breed called Dalmatians.

List of dog breeds native to Croatia:

  • Croatian Sheepdog (Hrvatski ovčar)
  • Dalmatian (Dalmatinac)
  • Istrian Short-Haired Hound (Istarski kratkodlaki gonič)
  • Tornjak.
  • Posavac Hound (Posavski gonič)
  • Old Croatian Sighthound

Fact #34: Croatian Canines

To the best of our knowledge, here are some facts about Croatian Canines:

  • Croatian Canines are considered to be one of the oldest and most pure breeds in the world.
  • Although they were once used to guard sheep, Croatian Canines were also used as guards against wild animals and robbers.
  • Croatian Canines have a deep sense of loyalty.
  • Croatian Canines have a maximum life expectancy of 12 years.

Fact #35: Largest Neanderthal community

The largest Neanderthal community was in Croatia. Croatia has the richest collection of remains of Neanderthal people in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions about Croatia:

Is Croatia safe for travel?

According to the United States Department of State, Croatia is a safe country. The 2017 Travel Warning for Croatia reminds U.S. citizens of the possibility of terrorist attacks in urban areas.
Croatia is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. It is a safe country because the quality of life is high, and the people are friendly.

What is Croatia famous for?

Everything that exists on the planet was created by the hands of man, but many things are created by nature too. So, we can’t forget that there is a lot of great things out there, that mankind has not yet discovered.
Among these beautiful things, we can find the Croatian islands. The biggest Croatian island is the Hvar, which is known for its crystal clear waters. The Croatian islands are great not only for their beauty but also because of the nature.

What is the most common language spoken in Croatia?

Croatian is the official language of citizens of Croatia as well as one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 95.6% of citizens of Croatia exposed Croatian as their national and native language. It is spoken by approximately 4.8 million people mainly in Croatia.
The Croatian language is also spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, Australia, U.S., and Canada. Around 5.5 million people worldwide speak Croatian.

Do they speak English in Croatia?

The short answer is yes. Most of the people of Croatia are multilingual, they speak at least one other language. As the second language, 49% of Croatians speak English.
Croatian is the official language of Croatia. It is a standardized form of the Serbo-Croatian language used by Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and the other two countries where Serbo-Croatian is spoken.

Is Croatia an expensive country?

Croatia is well known for its beautiful beaches and sunny climate, but it is also a land of serene mountains, quaint towns, and ancient cities, making it a popular tourist destination. However, it is not the cheapest country in Europe. The price of living in Croatia varies greatly depending on where you decide to live.

Do you need a visa for Croatia?

Visas are not required for citizens of EU countries, European Free Trade Association Member States, the United States, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Norway for a stay up to 90 days within a 6-month period, without needing a visa.

Is Croatia safe for female tourists?

For the past several years, many international female tourists have visited Croatia – and for the most part, they have found it to be a safe and comfortable place to visit. However, as always, there have been some exceptions. While the country has a lot to offer, it is also important to exercise caution in certain areas.

How much does a trip to Croatia cost?

It’s cheapest to fly into the Croatian capital, Zagreb, then travel by bus or train to the coast. The cost of a single bus ticket may be as low as the US $10, while a train ticket may cost as much as $40, but only one-fifth of that on the bus.
If you plan to stay 12 days your estimated cost will be around $3500 USD for a single visitor. So, a trip to Croatia for a couple costs on average $7000 USD.

What country does Croatia belong to?

Croatia is a country in southeastern Europe. It is a member of the European Union. Croatia is located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe of the Adriatic Sea, to the east of Italy, and to the south of Hungary.

What is Croatia’s famous food?

From a regional cuisine perspective, Croatia’s most famous cuisine is a mix of local dishes that evolved from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultural influence. This fusion resulted in a wide variety of delicious, yet diverse, local foods. While the country is famed for its seafood and steak, other food highlights include: cheese, fruit, vegetables, pork, sheep, poultry, and mushrooms.

Why is Croatia so beautiful?

Croatia, located in the central Adriatic Sea, is the most southerly of the Balkan peninsula’s countries. It’s also one of the most beautiful places in the world, thanks to its glorious coastlines and mountains, expanding wetlands, and a wide variety of wildlife.

Is Croatia a beautiful country?

Croatia is a beautiful country located in Southeast Europe on the Adriatic Sea. This country is a member of the European Union and is a top tourist destination.

What do they eat for breakfast in Croatia?

Croatian breakfasts are usually light and simple, especially in smaller towns and villages. Bread with cheese, olives, and ajvar are common choices.
Their breakfast typically consists of bread or toast with various spreads, a pastry or a sweet roll, a glass of milk, and coffee.

What drink is Croatia known for?

Croatia is known to produce its own brand of rakija, a fruit brandy that is similar to traditional brandy. The most common brand of rakija, called biska, is made from damson plums and has been produced in Croatia since the 18th century, which is also the time when it became popular.

What kind of meat do Croatians eat?

The consumption of meat is one of the specialties of Croatians. Lamb, beef, and chicken are all popular meats.